Creating a living space that reflects your unique personality and style is vital for comfort and well-being. Even if you’re living in student housing, there are plenty of ways to make the space your own. You can infuse a personal touch through many different avenues, but the goal is to create a space that feels like a reflection of you.

Below, we share several practical decor tips for men so you can transform your living space into a reflection of who you are. Whether you're starting from scratch or you’d like to refresh your home away from home, these tips will shed light on the various options for personalizing your space.

Understand Your Style

Exploring and identifying the design elements that resonate with you can help you create a space that feels perfectly suited to you. It can also save you a great deal of time, money, and effort in the long run. 

There are several ways to discover your unique style, including the following: 

  • Browse interior design websites that appeal to you.
  • Create a Pinterest board and save images of the men’s home decor that speaks to you. 
  • Pay attention to the spaces and furnishings you're naturally drawn to when you visit friends' homes, attend outings, or scroll through social media.

Choose a Color Scheme

When selecting a color scheme for your living space, it's important to think about the ambiance you want to create. A variety of palettes and colors can make a massive difference in the overall feel of a space.

Neutral color palettes

Neutral color schemes, including shades of gray, beige, and taupe, can provide a timeless and elegant foundation for your living space. These palettes are excellent for keeping you calm and serene, but they also allow for flexibility because you can add little pops of color with accessories and textiles. 

Warm neutral colors like light brown evoke a cozy, inviting atmosphere, but cool neutrals such as gray can lend to a more modern and sophisticated setup.

Contrasting color schemes

Combining contrasting colors can create a visually striking and energetic atmosphere. It allows you to make a bold statement and infuse the environment with your personality. 

However, while contrasting colors certainly jump out, finding the right balance between color and neutrals is vital to prevent the space from feeling overwhelming.

Monochromatic palettes

A monochromatic color scheme means using shades and tints of the same base color, creating a cohesive and calming atmosphere. This approach is particularly suitable if you are looking to establish a relaxing and rejuvenating space.

Accent Colors

Regardless of your primary color scheme, you can incorporate accent colors through accessories, furnishings, or artwork, adding visual interest and depth to the space. The key to determining which colors to incorporate is choosing a color palette that reflects your personal style and considering how the colors will affect the overall mood.

Select and Arrange Furniture

Since Delta Phi apartments come pre-furnished, you won’t need to purchase much; you might just need to choose supplementary pieces to aid with storage, comfort, style, and functionality. 

You can choose several different furnishings to enhance the space. For example, you might purchase accent chairs or stools to create additional seating for friends or freestanding storage shelves or cabinets to provide extra space for books and other personal items. You may consider adding a small desk if you and your roommate prefer to study simultaneously.

When arranging the furniture, there are so many different factors to consider. Some of the most time-honored tips include the following: 

  • Create a focal point. Arrange seating around a television or a coffee table.
  • Use furniture to define different zones within the apartment, like a dining or living area, to maximize its functionality.
  • Move furniture, like beds and couches, away from the walls to make the space more open and inviting.
  • Prioritize easy movement throughout the apartment. Creating pathways for convenient foot traffic is important, especially when you and your roommate are trying to get ready at the same time! 
  • Use symmetrical layouts, like sofas and chairs facing each other, to create a balanced space.

Add Personal Touches

There are a variety of ways to add personal touches to your apartment. If it’s your first time living away from home, it can be nice to have reminders of your roots. Consider adding these items to your space:

  • Framed photographs, artwork, or memorabilia
  • Collectibles, trophies, or other items that represent your hobbies
  • Display books, magazines, or other publications that are meaningful to you

If you are crafty, you could DIY certain projects to decorate your space. For example, you could create your own wall art by painting or framing posters. You could repurpose or upcycle objects into unique decor pieces that reflect your personality.

Integrate Technology

In 2024, tech is an inevitable part of life. If you’re not careful, you could quickly accumulate an unsightly “spaghetti dish” of wires in your apartment.

To streamline your space, try concealing wires behind furniture or along baseboards with cord covers. Investing in a multi-device charging station can help you keep everything organized and easily accessible. Storage ottomans or media consoles with built-in compartments can be the perfect hiding spot for tech that is not being used.

For added convenience, you could add a smart speaker to your space, such as Google Home or Amazon Echo. These devices can control your music, set reminders, and even manage other smart home devices, such as LED lights or smart thermostats.

These fantastic gadgets can also add visual appeal to your apartment:

  • A wireless charging pad for your smartphone
  • A sleek, minimalist desk lamp that has a USB charging port
  • High-quality Bluetooth speakers that create immersive audio experiences

Incorporate Comfortable Textiles

Textiles are crucial in transforming a dull and drab living space into something warm, inviting, and visually appealing.

Textiles can be used to introduce patterns, color, and texture. Incorporating different materials is an ideal way to soften your apartment and make it more comfortable. Consider adding the following items for a cozier aesthetic:

  • Accent pillows
  • Floor-to-ceiling curtains
  • Rugs
  • Throw blankets
  • Wall hangings, such as woven tapestries or macramé

Maximize Storage Solutions

One of the most common challenges for college students is limited storage. However, there are many different hacks to help you overcome this obstacle:

  • Utilize under-bed storage, such as wide and flat bins or boxes
  • Install additional shelving or hanging rods in your closet to create more storage for accessories, clothes, and shoes
  • Purchase multipurpose furniture, like benches or ottomans, to store items you’d prefer to keep out of sight
  • Use over-the-door organizers or racks to store toiletries, shoes, or small essentials that can clutter the floor
  • Optimize drawer space with drawer dividers, rolling storage carts, or organizers to keep your dresser or nightstand drawers tidy
  • Repurpose everyday items, like mason jars, as storage containers
  • Invest in collapsible or stackable storage that can be easily folded when not in use

Contact Delta Phi Apartments

Personalizing your space is an easy way to feel more at home while attending BYU-Idaho. As long as you follow apartment guidelines, we guarantee you won’t regret transforming your space into an aesthetic, functional reflection of who you are. With these tips and a little bit of creativity, you can transform your student housing into a safe haven.

If you are searching for BYU-Idaho-approved men's housing, contact Delta Phi Apartments today. Our community is the perfect place for you to find your style.